Hericium Erinaceus (Lion's Mane Mushroom, Yamabushitake, 山伏茸, 猴头菇)

Another name for Hericium Erinaceus is Hedgehog Mushroom. It is also referred to as Satyr’s Beard or the Bearded Tooth Fungus or the Bearded Tooth Mushroom. This mushroom was first discovered in North America. Its spine projects outwards from a group unlike other species of mushrooms whose spines project from a branch. The spines are usually longer than one centimeter.

It prefers growing on hard woods during summer and can therefore be easily confused with another Hericium species. Among the hard woods, it likes the American beech tree best.

If eaten when young, its texture is like seafood and the Chinese include it in their cuisine in place of lamb or even pork.

Medicinal Value

Traditional medicine has always been very popular with the Chinese ever since 2000 BC. And this mushroom is quite popular among their cures. A research on this mushroom was conducted on rats in 2005. The findings unearthed several medicinal substances present in Hericium Erinaceus. The substances included Palmitic acid, Threitol and D-arabinitol. In the research, these substances were found responsible for reducing blood sugar and regulating lipid levels in blood. It was also evident that there was an antioxidant present in the mushroom.

In studies being done today, scientists are trying to ascertain the impact this mushroom has on dementia. There has been evidence of nerve cells stimulation and enhancement of cognitive abilities. Growth of nerves was also enhanced too even when astrocytoma cells from humans were used. Myelination was also enhanced.

Studies have indicated that the mushroom Hericium Erinaceus can be used to lull inflammation and cool down ulcers. The ulcers alluded to here are the gastric kind as well as those of the oesophagus. Usually a person suffering gastric ulcers will experience pain in the abdomen. This intense pain can trigger other conditions such as weight loss or insomnia. Sometimes there is indication that digestion is not carrying on as it should. Other symptoms of Gastric ulcers include vomit with blood traces and or stool with blood traces too. A person suffering gastric ulcers can also experience fatigue. These are the symptoms that the mushroom Hericium Erinaceus clears.

Ulcers of the Oesophagus are usually caused by Gastrooesophageal reflux disease commonly shortened to GERD. The patient finds it painful to swallow food or drinks and there is prevalence of abdominal pains and vomiting. The patient also loses weight too. It is medically advisable for the patient to begin treatment before the ulcers deteriorate to the point of narrowing the tract. If it gets to that stage, the ulcer is referred to as Barret Ulcer.

The mushroom also treats Pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a medical condition where one’s pancreas becomes inflamed. It is caused by digestive enzymes performing their duty in the wrong location - the pancreas instead of the small intestine. This results in gradual corrosion of the pancreas and subsequent acute pain.

Crohn’s disease is can also be treated by the Hericium Erinaceus mushroom. The disease is characterized by the inflammation of the gut walls. A part of the gut can be inflamed or the whole gut can be inflamed making it look like patchwork. However, the ileum seems to be the most vulnerable.

The mushroom also helps in reducing Hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are enlarged blood vessels at the bottom of the rectum around the anus. Although sometimes not painful, their existence is usually known due to the presence of blood smears during bowel movement. If there are blood clots in the enlarged veins, then sharp pain is inevitable.

People have particularly embraced this mushroom due to its tendencies to fight various cancers. The cancers include intestinal and pancreatic cancers and stomach cancers. The mushroom also fights esophageal cancer. When a person takes Hericium Erinaceus in the course of chemotherapy, it has been observed to significantly reduce the sometimes horrible side effects associated with chemotherapy. This makes it bearable for the patient to undergo complete chemotherapy without feeling fatigued, sick or nauseous.

The mushroom is also known to positively counter with osteoporosis. This condition normally comes with advancing age. The bones, particularly those of the spine, begin to corrode and become weak. This can sometimes cause pain especially if the person is exposed to pressure. Hericium Erinaceus slows down the rate at which the bones corrode and encourage a sort of repair process. It also lulls the pain and gives back some peace to the patient.

The mushroom is also recommended for people who are interested in shedding weight or to keep their weight in check especially since it lacks saturated fats. As the mushroom wades off infection, it strengthens the person’s immunity and promotes overall bodily health.